Republican Convention, Day Two: "America First," if by "America" you mean "Israel"
I was in something called the “Creators Hub” at the Republican Convention when Nikki Haley was delivering her heart-warming “unity” speech last night. For whatever reason, I have been credentialed to the convention under the title “Creator” rather than “Journalist.” Perhaps this a more dignified designation. I keep repeating to people that I only recognize one Creator, and then point to the sky. Some chuckle, some seem earnestly appreciative of my tongue-in-cheek piety.
One fellow “Creator” in the bunch booed Nikki, but was quickly shushed by a woman beside him. As best I could tell, Nikki was warmly received — which I guess means she’s a trailblazing “anti-Establishment” dissident again, having wholeheartedly endorsed Trump? Nobody can really keep straight what the “establishment” is, and what Trump’s relationship to it is. (Hint: Trump controls the Republican Party, literally and figuratively, having installed his daughter-in-law as Republican National Committee co-chair. The GOP “establishment” currently exists to serve the interests of Trump. Hence, Trump is the party “establishment,” whether or not people want to disassociate from that term on a branding level.)
Among my creations thus far are an array of interviews with various political figures. One that stands out is an exchange on the convention floor with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), a chief sponsor of the “Antisemitism Awareness Act” that passed the House in May. We discuss whether the statistics cited by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and other organizations claiming a drastic surge in “anti-Semitic incidents” are valid.
And here’s an interview with Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) in which he explains his Biblical basis for supporting ceaselessly supplying weapons to Israel.
Here’s the full episode of Glenn Greenwald’s “System Update” show where most of this stuff aired. There’s plenty more to come, so keep your eyes peeled. (I’m “creating” on behalf of Greenwald’s show at the convention.)
Expect further spicy observations and self-deprecating narration of the proceedings.
Great photo, Michael!
Enjoyed your coverage on System Update last night. Well -- I lie. I thought your questions were interesting, & you raised good points, but those Congress Critters. . . Oh my Gawd! We are so screwed!
I am sure that a random mix of people using the live chats on System Update & Taibbi/Kirn's shows could produce more people with more common sense.
They were actually quoting the Old Testament to justify handing Israel "whatever it needs" in order to continue killing civilians because "Israel has a right to defend itself." (Then why doesn't Israel "defend itself" with its own damn money?) The fact that they spout all this nonsense while claiming to be Christian is especially disturbing. So . . . Jesus wants us to help Israel slaughter children???
Bad karma, dude -- and really bad karma for us as a nation. We really need to stop all the endless wars.
These Christian Zionists have gone from being pains in the neck to threats to our survival. Their war mongering on behalf of Israel will lead to disaster.